MOLD had their own Jonny Wilkinson in the shape of Jamie Griffiths on Saturday.

Hours before Wilkinson fired England into tomorrow’s World Cup final, Griffiths showed his ice-cool ability with the boot as he kicked Mold to a vital victory in their quest for a third successive Division Four (North) crown.

His penalties accounted for all of their points in their 12-6 home win over Colwyn Bay.

Had it not been for the scrum-half, Mold would have lost to their old foes for the second season running.

Bay raced into a 7-0 lead only for the deadly Griffiths to wipe it out before the break.

But the visitors regained their advantage in a scrappy second half through a penalty.

Talisman Griffiths wasn’t finished yet, though, and his fourth successful penalty, with 20 minutes to play, ensured David Hogg’s men kept their unbeaten record in tact.

Mold head player-coach Hogg – who is out injured – said: ‘It was a very good win in what was a very difficult game.

‘We dominated for long periods but when we got to their 22 we either knocked the ball on or got stopped.

‘So we were grateful to Jamie. He got us out of jail and I can see the parallels with what Jonny Wilkinson did later in the day.’

The success, Mold’s fourth on the run, keeps them hot on the heels of Ruthin and Caernarfon, who have also won four from four.

They are ahead of Mold, though, having bagged more bonus points.

That is a situation Hogg hopes to rectify when he takes his defending champions to second-from-bottom Llanidloes tomorrow (2.30pm).

He said: ‘I don’t know that much about them other than since they’ve come up they’ve been stuffed in every game they have played. We have got to do the same to them to get our bonus points up.’

Hogg will be without Saturday’s hero Griffiths who will be replaced at 9 by Rhys Edwards, who steps up from the seconds. Mosese Tauyavu – a Fijian who has recently moved to the area – will make his debut in the centre while Roger Lloyd starts on the flank.

North East Counties Division A defending champions Mold 2nds lost a thrilling encounter at Wrexham 2nds 31-26 on Saturday.

Shotton Steel won 16-10 at home to Denbigh 2nds through tries from captain Mike Howells and man of the match Mark Lewis. Steve McGuckin kicked two penalties while Graham Wilson was excellent at centre.

Flint 2nds suffered a harsh 30-0 defeat at Colwyn Bay 2nds. Ieuan Davies and Gaz Williams took the game to Bay while Rick Hirons and Scott Evans impressed in midfield and Gaz Owens and Adam Morris at the back for Flint.